Ex-Police Chief to Head Pro-Legalisation National Cannabis Coalition

MIAMI (Reuters) – A Miami man on trial on charges of illegally setting up a marijuana growing operation in a bedroom says he was trying to help his wife who is a recovering cancer patient, according to local media.

Ricardo Varona, 43, was arrested in July 2014 and charged with marijuana trafficking after police said they seized 15 live marijuana plants that could have produced more than 30 pounds of usable weed.

In Miami circuit court this week, Varona’s lawyer, Adam Bair, said his clients’ marijuana plants were purely meant to “ease his wife’s suffering,” according to the Miami Herald.